The Leadership of Admiral Nelson

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the difficulties associated with introducing changes for a general in the military. It describes how often times a leader (whether a politician or an officer) who attempts to institute changes is challenged by those who are entrenched at their positions. The paper looks at the leadership shown through the film "Twelve O'Clock High" with Gregory Peck and the leadership abilities of British Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, who led British ships into battle in the late 1700s.

From the Paper:

"Meanwhile, the development of leaders - according to Be-Know-Do-Learn (BKDL) - requires a certain set of strategies that are very important and date back to the foundations of the Army. BKDL is a description that affirms the Army values of "...loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage." All of those values can be linked to Peck's character in Twelve O'Clock High. He certainly showed courage by flying in the lead B-17 bomber day after day (until he finally broke down towards the end of the film). He expected loyalty from his troops and once they settled into his style of management and leadership, he got that loyalty. "Honor" and "integrity" are things he demanded of his men, along with a sense of duty. It took Savage awhile to achieve the respect he wanted and needed, but he got that done too."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Be-Know-Do-Learn. (2006). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Original Publication written by Francis Hesselbein & Eric Shinseki. Retrieved May 14, 2008, from http://hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/learning/2.htm.
• Twelve O'Clock High. (1949) Twentieth Century Fox. Director, Henry King.
• Vincent, E. (2003). Nelson and mission command: Edgar Vincent analyses the Spectacularly successful, and surprisingly modern, leadership strategy of Horatio Nelson. History Today, 53(6), 18-20.

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